ADAMS — Select Board Chair John Duval has resigned after 14 years on the board.

He submitted his resignation in writing on Wednesday two days after the local election, but he said the decision was not political.

"'I've served with many different board members over the 14 years, and also on the school board for 17, so that that doesn't matter to me," said Duval, who is 63. "It's really a personal decision."

He said he decided to resign on Wednesday because it would be a year prior to his term being up.

Jay Meczywor was elected chair at Wednesday's meeting of the Select Board; Ann Bartlett remains vice chair. The board took no action regarding the vacancy.

Duval said prior to the 2024 election when he last ran, he was energized by the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, which was being built at the time.

"There was some excitement back then," he said.

A lead engineer at General Dynamics, he retired in August 2025.

After that, "I found myself going to the Town Hall more often than I've ever gone to the Town Hall, and that that's because we had two interim town administrators, Ken Walto and Holli Jayko, who were half time."

He said in recent weeks, he felt he hadn't really retired and found himself asking whether he had another year in him — having served a total of 30 years, with 14 on the Select Board and 17 on the School Committee.

He decided he wanted to spend more time with his four grandchildren.

He contrasted this with his decision to devote time to coaching lacrosse and football at Hoosac Valley High School as well as serve on the School Committee when his own children were growing up.

He counted as his greatest accomplishments the renovation of Hoosac Valley High School and the building of the Greylock Glen Glen Outdoor Center, but was also pleased that the 13 apartments at 20 East St. have recently received their certificate of occupancy, and he is hopeful for the housing planned for the former Adams Memorial School.

He said he hopes Adams residents will view the Greylock Glen as an economic development opportunity as well as the Adams Theater.

Duval posted his decision on Facebook just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

"Thank you to all that have supported me over the years during elections or just lent an ear when needed," he wrote in part. "And rest easy my friends Skip Harrington and Jim Bush. I still miss you both.

"Best wishes to the current board of selectmen, Town Administrator Nick Caccamo, the soul of the town of Adams Donna Cesan (interim community development director) and the folks of my hometown, Adams.

He concluded his post, "I am now 100% retired!"

Under Duval's leadership, Adams has seen turnover in Town Hall.

He oversaw the hiring of Caccamo. In addition, the Select Board dealt with the removal of former Police Chief K. Scott Kelley, and the hiring of acting Police Chief Timothy Sorrell.

In addition, Michael Wynn, the first director of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, resigned, and the Select Board hired Daniel Doyle to replace him.